Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

Now I know the URL but how do you get there when you don't know? I mean, there is no link, the search doesn't deliver any results, the two links which look like leading to a list of software (Downloads and Development) don't do so for testing and devel packages. Even the wiki isn't linked from maemo.org. :mad: So I ask again: how does the average user gets to know that there is anything he can do?

My current approach is to surf the forum and use the links that are given there. If no one offers a link to some software, I probably will never see it.

With the current layout and structure of maemo.org you are standing in your own way. Sad but true. :(

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

Both the "Community" and "Development" headings of maemo.org have clear links to the wiki, and the very first article within the "Power User" section of the wiki (where it belongs) is the "Help testing software" article which provides details on how to enable the testing repo, how to view/search the list of packages available on this site, how to test the software, and how to vote for packages once tested.

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

Sorry, but when I read that I had to laugh.
You want people to go to Development (even when not being a developer) selecting the quite hidden link to the wiki, there looking into the power user section to learn about testing software? That's absolutely no way an average user would ever go!
The link in Community is a bit strange. Sitting in a section called "get help" the link is titled "use the wiki". I would read that like "get help in using the wiki". I want to vote for a software and not learn how to use a wiki!

But most important point is: there is no working search. This is the killer argument. And don't reply with something like "use google". google finds everything. But I don't want everything, I want relevant results. And without deep knowledge about the structure of the site I can forget google. Having this knowledge, I don't need google.

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

Extras-testing is not meant for your average user. Seriously, leave the testing to advanced people who won't mind using buggy or incomplete software.

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

Oh, sorry, I thought this call for help was for real:
I see, I still have a lot to learn about maemo.

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

This call for help came from me, a normal maemo.org user who is trying to help. It is very real and I think that there is a huge backlog.

However:

Not only extra-testing is buried. Regular package browsing is not available, either. Maybe putting the link on the main community or download page could improve the situation. There could be a warning in the same page.

The general search box in maemo.org sucks, it hardly ever finds anything. It could either be improved or all major stuff could have static links in some pages.

Re: Help test and vote for some packages!
 

I think I would classify as an "advanced" or "power" user, or even a developer. However, I've missed that entry point to the extra-testing page in the wiki. Maybe I didn't have the time to read that particular wiki. I've found it by using google.

Maybe a little more visibility could improve overall quality: more eyes looking for bugs.